May 2023 Volume 5

EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY

Your Forge Shop of The Future Starts Today Digitalization Solutions That Forge the Path to Improved Performance By Jaime Israel

The perception that forgers cannot practically incorporate digitalization and modernization best practices to improve performance—in comparison to operators optimizing sheet metal forming lines—is not entirely misplaced. Working with smaller openings of the slide, and materials such as graphite during the lubrication process, poses a bottleneck for certain realized technologies pertaining to camera-based visual systems and more. However, there are many other ways to achieve the “Forge Shop of the Future.” The forging industry must focus on predictive maintenance, forge shop planning, and energy savings as the initial “jump” into the digitalization pool of possibilities.

steps, and immediate feedback can be provided to ensure your forging press is up-and-running again as soon as possible. Schuler Connect is a form of service support that is simple and intuitive. Forgers can present issues hands-free and connect with support when using smart glasses, or they can easily point the camera from their smart phone or tablet to showcase any issues. Forgers can speak through the technology in their native language, and the technology automatically translates to the global support team— enabling worldwide, 24/7 assistance without any language barriers. The AR technology also allows for Schuler’s Service team to mark any defective parts or directly show changes in a setting—for which forgers can view directly in their field of vision. This form of support can resolve stoppages in production and save significant costs. Schuler Connect will be available for forgers to demo at Schuler’s booth during Forge Fair, booth 113. Forge Shop Planning Forgers can optimize production and forge shop planning with machine applications and cloud solutions. Schuler’s machine applications from Digital Suite are designed to avoid efficiency losses and damage risks. Machine applications include Schuler’s Press Force Monitor, Production Monitor, Cooling Analytics, Lubrication Analytics, andDrive Analytics. All applications provide real-time and historical production data, and forgers can receive email push notifications in the event of anomalies. Data is highly secure and can be accessed from any smart device. Press Force Monitor: displays press force trends and force distributions for immediate detection of improperly set press forces specific to each die and incorrectly positioned dies per flow direction. The accumulation of die-specific historical data enables forgers to better plan die overhauls. Production Monitor: provides current stroke rate, plant productivity, and production order status data. Production Monitor detects abnormalities early, due to operational or die-specific reasons, so forgers can rapidly optimize system productivity. Forgers can benefit from this technology as the historical data allows for accurate order planning, realistic parts costing, identification of production trends such as stroke rates, unscheduled downtimes, and system utilization.

Predictive Maintenance Forgers can achieve predictive maintenance in a variety of ways. Service agreements, smart inspections, and augmented reality (AR) tools are current solutions that Schuler North America can provide for the market. Schuler Connect is a great example of digitalization as it is an AR technology that enables safe and cost effective remote support and troubleshooting via smart glasses or application software. This technology becomes critical when you, or your service provider, cannot travel, production deadlines are approaching too fast for a specialist to reach you in time, your forging system is not remote-capable, or the current/preventative request cannot be localized by connecting to the controller. Schuler Connect allows remote connection to Schuler’s team of qualified experts—regardless of location—and the technology provides a highly secured audio and video connection for Schuler’s Service team to assess and evaluate your forging needs. Assistance, guided

FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2023 16